Cameron's bed "part 4"

The saga continues! Last night we went to Costco to purchase a twin mattress for Cameron. This was our last ditch effort to get this boy to sleep in bed. To our wonder and amazement, we came into his room to tuck him in and found him peacefully sleeping in his bed! I think it might be too good to be true but I'm hopeful. The mattress is still on the floor but I think we will keep it that way for a while before buying a bed frame to put it in. I don't want to rock the boat.....

Help from big sis...

When dad is in charge, their is always a way to make things easier. Instead of pushing Cam on his big wheel because he can't reach, Bella was put to work.

Mama got a new flip camera for Christmas, you will be seeing a lot more video :)

Toddler Bed "Part 3"

I don't know if this is Cam warming up to the bed or falling asleep in mid destruction of his room. At least he wrapped himself up in his blanket to keep warm (while falling asleep standing up?)

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning at the Leonardsons was chaos as usual. Bella of course woke up with full intention of opening all the presents in the house. Cameron on the other hand needed a little persuading, hence the cookie. Once the sugar kicked in, he was ready to go.



Logan actually slept through the whole thing but joined us later in the morning for the festivities. We had a very nice Christmas and enjoyed spending time together as a family.

Logan's acting debut

So, on Christmas Eve we attended service at our church as usual. As we walked into the building, we were frantically approached by one of the girls running the show. "Can I ask you a favor?" she said. They apparently were short a "baby Jesus" for one of the musical numbers and wanted to borrow Logan. I hesitated a little then reluctantly said yes. She was going to come and get him a few minutes before the musical number he was to "perform" in . Bella was with us for this service as it was to be very exciting and special. She didn't want to stay in the child care and miss everything. Half way through the performances, Staci came to get Logan who was currently asleep and in major need of a bottle. I at this point was convinced this was a really bad idea. Not only was he going to wake up hungry, but also in a very strange situation. As she took Logan, Bella in a very confused way asked "why are they taking baby Logan" and " are they going to give him back?"

We tried to enjoy the music, anticipating what was to come. After a while we heard a baby hysterically screaming backstage and again felt this was a really bad idea. Staci came back to us asking for bottle or binky or something, I handed her the bottle. The screaming child (my child) was now quiet and I felt a little more at ease. Suddenly, during the current song Mary and Joseph appeared on stage holding a very confused, very naked, baby Jesus (the reason he was crying was that they completely stripped him down and gave him to people he didn't know). We of course could see the inconspicuously wrapped bottle calming our little star. He was beautiful, spectacular and of course a natural. For Logan's very first Christmas he got to play the most important role imaginable. We are so proud of our little miracle.

(And of course with this being a last minute event, we have no pictures to share)

Logans a big boy! (not really)

We tried the bumbo seat tonight, what a big boy! I can't believe he can sit up in it already, he wobbled a bit but stayed up. Such a little man already...

Hating the toddler bed "Part Two"

Last night when going to check on Cam, we found him asleep on the floor in this very uncomfortable looking pose. Again, he is sleeping anywhere but in his bed...where will we find him next? Last time is was in his toy bin wrapped with his blanket.

This is the only time he still looks like a baby to me. My little angel...until he wakes up that is. Then it's back to chasing him off of furniture, down the street, in the mall, at the park....really, I spend most of my time just chasing him. Ah, the joys of a two year old boy :)

Preschool Christmas Program

Last night was Bella's first school Christmas program. It was so much fun to see all these 3,4 and 5 year old kids dressed up so nice and ready to sing for us all. (Some more ready than others) All the kids walked out on to the stage with the Chipmunks Christmas song playing in the background.
Bella was so excited to have her turn at the microphone, wishing everyone a very merry Christmas. The boy standing next to her happens to be the one she is going to marry, in case you were wondering. At four years old, we have to have these things in order all ready. Although he has two other girls he is going to marry as well, kind of confusing...

Once the program got too long, Bella practiced balancing the ball of her Santa hat on her face. She got quite good at it as the program went along.

Our Tree

This is our beautiful tree that the kids got to decorate themselves at 9:00pm at night on a Wednesday. Our family had been putting off the tree experience this year because of various reasons. Our weekends were too busy, Darin had been out of town, laziness...Our family tradition is to venture through the woods and cut a tree down the old fashioned way. My incredible husband insists on it. The thought of having a nice clean, pre-lit, perfect, dry, artificial tree would just be crazy! When we said our vows, I think this was a deal breaker.

Due to the major amount of rain, snow, and freezing temperatures, my husband "allowed" us to purchase a pre-cut tree from a lot down the street. Spending of course way too much for it (and in my opinion, the real reason we have to drag three children through the mud, saw down a tree and strap it to the top of our mini-van, it's cheaper) the tree happens to be the most beautiful we've ever had.

The kids really had a good time, and I had a fabulous time sitting in the nice warm car pointing out the window at the tree I wanted. Score one for mom!

The many faces of Logan

Never too old to swaddle

Bin bed

We have discovered that Cameron hates his toddler bed and will sleep anywhere but in it. When we came in to "tuck him in" we found him asleep in one of his toy bins. He of course woke up and wanted to play, especially when we broke out the camera to catch the moment. We have also found him sleeping on the floor, in various spots around his room.

His sister used to sleep in the closet.

Discovering hands

Logan has discovered his hands and spends most of his time trying to put them together and how to get them in his mouth.

When Dad is in charge....

Sometimes I get really overwhelmed with things to do (had to believe, I know) and Darin offers to keep the kids occupied so I can get stuff done. Usually it involves some sort of major art project or adventure outside. This happened to be at night so outside wasn't an option. He had the great idea to have the kids finger paint in the garage....you can probably guess the rest.

Darin's next big idea was to have them walk in the paint and use their feet to "express their artistic desires"while of course holding Logan on his body making it virtually impossible to grab a child covered in paint about to run into the living room...ARE YOU KIDDING! All I see is paint on my floors! Welcome to the world of three children, he'll get it eventually.

Thanksgiving program at Preschool

Tonight was our very first school program at preschool. For Thanksgiving, they had a celebration where the kids got up on stage and sang a song then one by one told what they were thankful for. Kids were thankful for their parents, their dog, their barbies and cars. Our precious Bella said she was thankful for her "toy Willy!" Dead silence in the crowd. They didn't know she was referring to her giant stuffed whale she named "free willy" after the movie. To the unsuspecting spectator, it sounded a little bit wrong. Oh well, out of the mouths of babes....


Bella is in the purple.

A Little Fall Clean-up

I'm pretty sure the objective wasn't to actually clean up the leaves. The possible evidence of my theory is the giant leaf pile still sitting in my back yard. Hmmm, curious...

Misc. Logan pictures

We recently had Logan's two month appointment and he is growing like crazy! He is just shy of 13lbs and almost 24 inches long. To give you a little perspective on how big he is, he has a friend that is seven months old and not much bigger. She is maybe a pound and an inch bigger than our guy. We grow them big in the Leonardson family!

The big night

Our little peapod! This lasted for maybe two minutes before Logan was roasting hot and really cranky. At least we got a picture of it.

Due to Cam's practice night at church, he was a pro for the real thing. He only tried to actually enter a few house, but mostly got the idea that candy was being given out.
We had a lot of family come for the night and celebrate with us. Uncle Ed had the big job of creating something "fun" for our porch last year. It was such a hit, he decided to do it again this year. Meet Henry (I had to name him). He hung from our porch and wiggled and turned when the terrified little children approached. The reoccurring theme of the night was the parents telling us their kids didn't want to come onto the porch alone. Can't image why, maybe it had something to do with the giant, hairy spider blocking the way! Just a thought.
"Papa" had the privilege of escorting Cameron from house to house. Actually, Cameron refused to go with anyone but his Papa.
Candy time was great. The kids insisted on licking everything, putting it back and then trying something new. I don't know if that was to claim the candy as their own or because they knew they could only have a little bit. One lick for each piece meant they technically didn't eat it and could move on to more? I don't know.

Trunk or Treat

Our church hosted it's annual "Trunk or Treat" event and we decided to brave the crowds. I couldn't believe how many people had shown up this year. Rumor has it, they ran out of candy! This was Cameron's first official trick or treat event. They had it the Sunday before Halloween so Cam had a good opportunity to practice before the big night. Bella made it her personal mission to show him the ropes.

"Tuh"Mater and Lightning McQueen!

In keeping with the "Cars" obsession at the Leonardson household, we had Mater and Lightning McQueen visit for Halloween. Aren't they cute!

Pumpkin Patch "part two"

So we were brave and attempted the pumpkin patch again. This time was a little more successful depending on what you consider success. We had no major episodes but did leave the farm completely drenched in mud. I'm pretty sure the kids got more mud in their boots than on them. We went with friends this time and on a weekday (less busy).

Our trip started with the very captivating find of a furry caterpillar. It was hard to get them to even leave the parking lot.

Our attempt at the little sign, Bella on the left, our friend Ethan in the middle (the only one that posed for the picture) and Cameron's arm on the right.

Once we got Cameron to stop throwing pumpkins we were on our way. This was an amazingly warm day in the northwest. I think it reached almost 75 degrees which is unusual for this time of year.

The big tractor was a must, Cam is in love with them.

I actually have pictures of Cameron being carried like this at the pumpkin patch from two years ago. This is Logan enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.

Then the trouble started. The mud puddles were spotted and it was no turning back. Me being the cool mom that I am, allowed it the splashing. I got a lot of nasty looks from other moms but how often do you get great pictures like this. I don't want look back and remember how clean my kids looked, I'd rather remember the laughter and smiles.

The kids boots are still drying out on the front porch. I'm pretty sure they got more mud inside their boots than on them.

The splashing got more intense, us moms had to back away. By the time they were done, I think they were covered from head to toe.

Mud can be very slippery as Bella is finding out in this picture. She was not a happy girl, and pretty much ready to go home once this happened.

That's it, the trip is 0ver! I think I hate mud!